Noticeboard

Our Doctors

Due to changes in our Doctor Team you may notice different Doctors than usual at your surgery site.

Extended GP Hours

GP's in central Durham, Chester-Le-Street and Derwentside are working together to offer extra GP appointments from 6:30pm on weekday evenings as well as Saturday & Sunday mornings.

Please note these clinics are by appointment only. Just call your surgery to book any available evening and weekend GP appointments.

Carer's Pledge

The Medical Group pledges tocare for our patients who are carers. We aim to identify all our carers and do all we can to support their health and well-being. We have a carer display in all five of our surgeries and close links with Durham County Carers Support.

Information and / or Communication Support Needs

We want to get better at communicating with our patients. We want to make sure you can read and understand the information we send you. If you find it hard to read our letters or if you need someone to support you at appointments, please let us know.

Please tell us if you need:

Information in braille, large print or easy read.

A British Sign Language interpreter or advocate.

If we can support you to lipread or use a hearing aid or communication tool

Please tell the receptionist when you arrive for your next appointment.

The Medical Group now has a young people information page which is aimed at children & young people aged up to 18 years old. Why not take a look by clicking on Young People Information which can be found in the further information section down the right side of this page.

Patient Online - Giving you more choice in accessing GP Services

Patient Online will help you to take greater control of your health & wellbeing by increasing online access to services. If you wish to, you can now use the internet to book appointments with a GP, request repeat prescriptions for any medications you take regularly and also view your medications and allergies online. If you would like to register for Patient Online please speak to a member of our Reception Team

Electronic Prescription Service

We are about to introduce an Electronic Prescription Service. This service will mean that we can send your prescription electronically to the Pharmacy you choose to get your medication from without the need for paper in most cases. The Electronic Prescription Service is reliable, secure and confidential.

If you would like to use the Electronic Prescription Service:

•You will need to ‘nominate’ a pharmacy to receive your prescriptions electronically. You can ask a member of staff in the pharmacy to arrange this. Practice Staff will also be able to arrange this for you after Tuesday 3rd June 2014.

•You can then continue to order your prescriptions in the usual way, but instead of a paper prescription being collected by you or your pharmacy, the prescription will be sent to them electronically.

•You should try to ensure that on most occasions you collect your prescriptions from your nominated Pharmacy. However, if you don’t wish to use your nominated Pharmacy for a particular prescription just make sure you let the surgery know when you request the prescription. For example if you wish to collect a prescription from the surgery reception, or a different pharmacy.

•Nomination is very flexible and can be cancelled at any time by asking a member of staff at the pharmacy or the surgery

Chaperones

If you feel you would like a chaperone present at your consultation then please inform your Doctor/Nurse who will be more than happy to arrange this for you.

Dementia Friend

The Medical Group is a Dementia Friend

A Dementia Friend learns a little bit more about what it's like to live with dementia and then turns that understanding into action - anyone of any age can be a Dementia Friend. Whether you attend a face-to-faceDementia Friends Information Sessionorwatch their online video, Dementia Friends is about learning more about dementia and the small ways you can help. From telling friends about Dementia Friends to visiting someone you know living with dementia, every action counts.

Dementia Friendly Swimming sessions are now taking place at Spennymoor Leisure Centre. These take place every Monday from 2.30-3.30pm.

As with all Dementia Friendly Swimming sessions, the first week is free and following sessions are charged at £2.60 for the person with dementia and free entrance for their carers. Support is available if required, at reception, in the changing room and in the pool. Free refreshments are offered afterward.

The difference between dementia friendly swimming at Spennymoor compared to other sites is the pool. It’s unique shape means that at its shallowest point it is only ankle deep and therefore is suitable for those who perhaps don’t want to swim but would like to paddle. The leisure centre also has a pool wheelchair meaning that even those with limited mobility can be wheeled in and can enjoy the water from the comfort of the chair.

Dementia Friendly Swimming sessions are also still being delivered at Chester-Le-Street Leisure Centre, Teesdale Leisure Centre in Barnard Castle and Freeman’s Quay Leisure Centre in Durham City. More information on these can be found at: